720. Arod

Lexical Summary

Arod: Arod

Original Word: אֲרוֹד
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Arowd
Pronunciation: ah-ROHD
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-ode')
KJV: Arod
NASB: Arod
Word Origin: [an orthographical variation of H719 (אַרוַד - Arvad)]

1. fugitive
2. Arod, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Arod

An orthographical variation of 'Arvad; fugitive; Arod, an Israelite -- Arod.

see HEBREW 'Arvad

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a son of Gad
NASB Translation
Arod (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אֲרוֺד proper name, masculine son of Gad Numbers 26:17 = אֲרוֺדִי Genesis 46:16 .

Topical Lexicon

Identity and Genealogical Context

Arod (אֲרוֹד) is named once in the Hebrew canon during the second wilderness census (Numbers 26:17). He is one of the seven sons of Gad who left Canaan for Egypt with Jacob’s household (compare Genesis 46:16, where the spelling appears as “Arodi”). In the tally on the plains of Moab, Arod is recorded as the eponymous father of the clan of the Arodites. Though the biblical narrative supplies no biographical detail, his placement in two critical genealogies underscores God’s faithfulness to multiply the offspring of the patriarchs and preserve each family by name.

Historical Setting within Israel’s Wilderness Journey

Numbers 26 chronicles the new generation that would soon cross the Jordan. The tribe of Gad totals 40,500 fighting men (Numbers 26:18), and the Arodites formed part of that number. Their survival after forty years of judgment in the desert shows that the Lord had pruned but not erased the tribe, keeping promise and purpose intact (Numbers 14:29-31).

Covenant and Inheritance Implications

Gad’s descendants—Arodites included—received territory east of the Jordan (Joshua 13:24-28). Moses had earlier blessed Gad: “He crouches like a lion, tearing off arm and head” (Deuteronomy 33:20-21). The clan system enabled land to be apportioned equitably and military responsibilities to be organized. In later history men of Gad proved fierce warriors (1 Chronicles 5:18-22), a legacy in which Arod’s line likely shared.

Theological Reflections

1. Divine Particularity: The singling out of Arod’s family in the census illustrates that God’s covenant deals with identifiable people, not anonymous masses. Even seemingly obscure names testify that “the LORD knows those who are His” (2 Timothy 2:19).
2. Continuity of Promise: From Genesis 46 to Numbers 26, Arod’s clan bridges the patriarchal sojourn in Egypt and the threshold of conquest, showing Scripture’s consistent, unfolding storyline.
3. Corporate Solidarity: The Arodites did not stand alone; their identity was bound to Gad, Gad to Israel, and Israel to the redemptive plan that culminates in Messiah. Such solidarity foreshadows the Church, “one body” yet composed of many members with distinct gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Names Matter: Knowing and recording each disciple encourages accountability, pastoral care and personal worth in the eyes of God.
• Generational Vision: Like the Arodites, congregations must view themselves as links in a chain, stewarding faith for those who follow.
• Readiness for Battle: Gad’s blessing and exploits point to spiritual vigilance. Believers “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) to contend for gospel advance.

Key References

Genesis 46:16; Numbers 26:17-18; Deuteronomy 33:20-21; Joshua 13:24-28; 1 Chronicles 5:18-22; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 6:11

Forms and Transliterations

לַאֲר֕וֹד לארוד la’ărōwḏ la·’ă·rō·wḏ laaRod

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 26:17
HEB: לַאֲר֕וֹד מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאֲרוֹדִ֑י
NAS: of Arod, the family of the Arodites;
KJV: Of Arod, the family of the Arodites:
INT: of Arod the family of the Arodites

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 720
1 Occurrence

la·’ă·rō·wḏ — 1 Occ.